UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton and Matt Serra is the must-listen podcast for fight fans. Edgy veteran comedian Jim Norton and former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra push the boundaries in the UFC's first audio series. “Unfiltered” delivers everything, including pre- and post-fight analysis, industry stories, observations, opinions and interviews with UFC sources, fighters and celebrity fans.
It’s a winning-streak kind of show as Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by a pair of surging contenders riding streaks of at least 7-straight wins.
First, bantamweight contender Aiemann Zahabi calls in to preview his upcoming matchup with Sean O’Malley on the White House card. Eyeing an eighth straight win, Canada’s own Zahabi discusses the revenge angle for a country that’s come up short against the United States in multiple recent gold medal matchups and a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal, while also breaking down how he matches up with one of the division’s most dangerous strikers.
After recapping Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card — including Kevin Vallejos’ statement win and what could be next for Gillian Robertson — the guys welcome featherweight contender Youssef Zalal.
Having worked with Aljamain Sterling in the past, Zalal dives into a uniquely insightful breakdown of the matchup — adding an interesting wrinkle given Aljo’s longtime ties to Matt Serra. Jim and Matt don’t hold back their admiration for Zalal as he previews the fight, discusses his recent surge, and explains why he believes he’s ready for a title shot in a rapidly evolving featherweight division.
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Jim Norton and Matt Serra get one half of Saturday’s main event as Josh Emmett calls in first on a show also featuring heavyweight newcomer Steven Asplund.
Emmett previews his matchup with rising prospect Kevin Vallejos, reflecting on the experience he’s gained from years of facing elite competition and why his trademark power remains a dangerous equalizer even at 41 years old.
Later, Steven Asplund makes his UFC Unfiltered debut. A son of a fighter himself, Asplund walks through how he went from team sports to obesity issues, all in a roundabout journey to the fight game — where he is now 7-1 as a professional and looking to make his mark in the heavyweight division.
Plus, Jim and Matt close out the show by previewing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card and making a few picks.
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A pair of former opponents at 145 pounds join today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered as newly-established lightweight Kyle Nelson and featherweight contender Steve Garcia call in to chat with Matt Serra and Jim Norton.
First, Kyle Nelson returns to the show to discuss his decision to move back up to lightweight after his 2024 loss to Steve Garcia. Fresh off a win over Matt Frevola, Nelson breaks down his upcoming matchup with Terrance McKinney at the UFC Seattle card on March 28 and shares what it’s like preparing for a fighter whose bouts almost always end in the first round.
Later, No. 9 ranked featherweight Steve Garcia calls in to react to the announcement of his fight against Diego Lopes on the historic UFC Freedom 250 card set to take place on the White House South Lawn. Garcia discusses how he matches up with Lopes, what he learned from Lopes’ recent title fight against Alexander Volkanovski, and whether a statement win on that stage could catapult him into the title picture at 145 pounds.
Plus, Jim and Matt recap the biggest moments from UFC 326 — including Charles Oliveira’s dominant win over Max Holloway in their BMF title rematch.
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Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome a pair of veteran finishers to UFC Unfiltered ahead of Saturday’s UFC 326 card in Las Vegas.
First, lightweight Drew Dober returns for his eighth appearance on the show to preview his matchup with Michael Johnson in a clash between two of the division’s most experienced fighters. Convinced veterans like him are often underestimated for their ability to adapt, Dober explains how the constant search for self-improvement fuels him. That and a good old-fashioned post-fight donut.
Later, Cody Garbrandt calls in ahead of his fight against Xiao Long. The former bantamweight champion opens up about how overcoming health issues — including vertigo — has given him a new outlook at this stage of his career before discussing how his passion for motorcycles keeps him grounded outside the cage.
Plus, Jim and Matt close out the show with picks for Saturday’s UFC 326 card, including their thoughts on the BMF title rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.
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Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome two lightweights at very different stages of their careers.
First, 27-year-old Francis Marshall joins the show following his first-round submission win in Mexico City. Marshall breaks down surviving an early spinning wheel kick before locking up the finish and reflects on bouncing back after a difficult stretch in the Octagon. In his UFC Unfiltered debut, Marshall and Matt connect over their shared ties to the Northeast fight scene, including Marshall’s experience competing on Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat — the long-running proving ground for fighters from New Jersey and New York, and a staple for many Serra-Longo athletes over the years.
Then, Michael Johnson returns as he gears up for what he’s calling one last run at lightweight. “The Menace” discusses longevity, chasing a fourth straight win, how he keeps his body feeling young at 39, and what still fuels him nearly 15 years into his UFC career.
In between interviews, Jim and Matt break down the newly announced UFC 327 card, headlined by Jiří Procházka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the light heavyweight title recently vacated by Alex Pereira. They also debate whether Pereira’s decision signals a move to heavyweight for Jon Jones — and what that could mean for a potential blockbuster fight at the White House.
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Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome both sides of a key lightweight matchup as Daniel Zellhuber and King Green join the show ahead of their clash at UFC Mexico City.
First, Mexico’s own Daniel Zellhuber discusses fighting at home in the altitude for the second time, what he learned from his Fight of the Night war in 2024, and how he’s approaching a pivotal bout after back-to-back losses. The 26-year-old “Golden Boy” explains why he’s hoping to face the best version of the 39-year-old veteran and what a win in front of his home crowd would mean for his career.
Then, King Green calls in to give his side of the matchup. Returning to Mexico for the first time since his early days as a pro, Green reflects on how the sport — and today’s young fighters — have evolved since he first broke in. He also breaks down how his experience, composure, and fight IQ factor into Saturday’s showdown with Zellhuber.
Plus, Jim and Matt preview and make three picks each for this Saturday’s UFC Mexico City card headlined by flyweight contenders Brandon Moreno and Lone’er Kavanagh.
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Jim Norton and Matt Serra recap UFC Houston before welcoming two welterweights at very different stages of their careers to UFC Unfiltered.
First up, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani reflects on his hard-fought split decision win over Phil Rowe in his UFC debut. The Hermosa Beach native discusses the weigh-in faceoff tension, the lone dissenting judge’s scorecard, and what he learned from going three full rounds inside the Octagon.
Later, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos makes his fifth appearance on the show — his first since August 2023. RDA shares his thoughts from being in attendance at UFC Houston, opens up about tearing his ACL in his fight against Geoff Neal, and discusses his recent knee surgery and plans to return this summer. Now settled in Austin and preparing to get his school going, the veteran reflects on what continues to motivate him after more than 20 UFC wins.
Listen in as Jim and Matt react to Sean Strickland’s statement victory and some of their other takeaways from this past weekend’s action in Houston.
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Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome two rising welterweights to UFC Unfiltered ahead of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Houston.
The guys kick off their preview of this weekend’s card by breaking down the main event between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez — with Jim offering up a prediction of his own.
First up, Serbian knockout artist Uroš Medić makes his Unfiltered debut. “The Doctor” reflects on his journey from Serbia to Alaska to the UFC before outlining what he expects from 12th-ranked Geoff Neal in their fan-friendly co-main event clash this Saturday.
Then, undefeated prospect Jacobe Smith calls in ahead of his third UFC appearance. After completing a full camp preparing for Seokhyeon Ko, Smith discusses the mindset shift required for a short-notice matchup against fellow unbeaten welterweight Josiah Harrell.
Confident in his coaches’ film study, Smith explains why he prefers trusting his athleticism and in-fight instincts rather than overthinking hypothetical scenarios.
Stick around as Jim and Matt round out the show by locking in their official picks for Saturday’s action.
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Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by Michael Chiesa for a wide-ranging conversation centered around his upcoming return to action in Seattle and the balancing act of being both an active UFC fighter and one of the promotion’s most trusted analysts.
Chiesa talks about fighting in the Pacific Northwest, what’s fueling his current 3-fight win streak, and how his mindset has evolved at this stage of his career.
Chiesa reflects on the adjustments that have led to renewed momentum, the challenges of flipping between fighter and broadcaster mode, and what a big performance in Seattle could mean for his standing at welterweight.
Before signing off, Chiesa shifts into analyst mode to plug and preview Thursday’s UFC BJJ 5 event — breaking down key matchups and what fans can expect as he joins Din Thomas on the broadcast team.
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Jim Norton and Matt Serra are joined by friend of the show Chase Hooper and UFC BJJ bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci on today’s episode of UFC Unfiltered.
With the Seahawks fresh off their Super Bowl LX victory, it’s only right that Seattle’s own Hooper calls in ahead of his first fight back in the Emerald City in nearly nine years, as the UFC brings a Fight Night card to Seattle on March 28 headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer.
Hooper talks about balancing fatherhood with life as a UFC fighter, what he learned from his first-round setback last summer, and how fighting close to home brings a different kind of motivation as he continues to evolve in the division.
Later, reigning UFC BJJ champion Musumeci makes his Unfiltered debut with a bang — instantly clicking with Matt as they bond over authentic pizza. Musumeci then previews his upcoming bantamweight title defense against Shay Montague at UFC BJJ 5, reflecting on the discipline that shaped his career and what continues to drive him as one of the most accomplished submission grapplers in the world.
Plus, Jim and Matt wrap things up with their biggest takeaways from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira card.
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Jim Norton and Matt Serra welcome a pair of first-time guests to the show as they gear up for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira card at the Meta APEX.
First, middleweight Marc-Andre Barriault joins the show to discuss his MMA journey and the roots of the toughness that has defined his fighting style. The Kill Cliff FC staple also breaks down his upcoming matchup with Michał Oleksiejczuk and what fans can expect when the two heavy hitters share the Octagon.
Later, flyweight contender Amir Albazi makes his UFC Unfiltered debut, eager to put an injury-filled stretch behind him and get back to making noise in the division. Albazi reflects on his journey from Iraq to Syria and Sweden, how those early experiences shaped him, and how martial arts became his outlet — before turning his focus to a high-stakes matchup with Kyoji Horiguchi.
Stick around as Jim and Matt lock in picks for Saturday’s card.
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